How Technology Can Make Your Dental Visits More Efficient
Are You Afraid To Go To The Dentist?
February 17, 2020
The dental procedures that were once a nightmare to most patients are now much less painful and stressful. It’s all thanks to the advancements in digital dentistry.
Digital dentistry uses computer-based or devices or digital components instead of yesterday’s mechanical and electrical procedures. It lets dentists provide enhanced and more efficient patient care in a less stressful environment. Here’s a rundown on how technology today helps make your dental visits much more efficient.
Call Dr. Steven Kobayashi today at (510) 962-9530 to schedule an appointment
Digital Dentistry Technology
Here is a list of the common types of dental technology used in dental offices.
1. Digital Radiography (Itero and CEREC)
Optical face scanners use digital radiography to create a detailed map of teeth and dental impressions. It lets dentists view, print, and assess your teeth and gums to come up with the best treatment plan.
Examples are Itero scanners which use digital radiography in planning out your Invisalign teeth straightening treatment. CEREC also uses digital dentistry technology to create single visit crowns, giving you crowns in a single visit.
Digital radiography equipment not only provides quick and efficient teeth straightening and crown services, but also emits 70% less radiation than traditional X-rays.
Besides, they are also a more environmentally friendly choice for a dental office.
2. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging (CBCT)
Cone Beam Computed Topography Imaging uses a rotating X-ray machine to provide dentists with three-dimensional views of a patient’s teeth and oral anatomy.
It identifies oral conditions that are not easily detected by regular X-ray screenings and locates the exact position of teeth and roots.
3. Air abrasion
Air abrasion is often used instead of the traditional drill to drill holes with maximum comfort with minimal intimidation. It helps treat small cavities while retaining healthy tooth structures without any anesthetic injections.
It’s also useful at repairing old tooth restoration by quickly and easily reaching the small gaps in between teeth.
4. Intra-Oral Cameras
Intra-oral cameras are shaped like a wand to give dentists detailed and accurate images of the mouth. It magnifies images on a computer screen to let patients see what the dentist does or refers to.
Besides, the camera also provides detailed pictures of hard-to-reach areas in the mouth to help accurately identify problems.
5. Computer-Aided Design or Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and 3D printing
Dentists use CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture dental restorations like veneers, bridges, and crowns. It lets dentists design, fabricate, and insert dental restorations like CEREC single day crowns in a single day instead of the usual three weeks.
The advancements made in the dental field have been tremendous and have helped make everyone’s dental visits less stressful. It also gives dentists a more accurate diagnosis of conditions, saves the patient’s and dentist’s time and cost, and has improved the patient experience.
So if you have always been afraid to visit the dental office, there’s no reason to be scared now!
